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Novel Ideas

Novel Ideas is Northern Ireland’s longest-running author interview series. Across twelve seasons from 2015 to 2025, hosts Debbie McGrory, Mike Gaston, Elliot Lloyd, Tony Macauley, Karen Mooney and others sit down with local writers to discuss their latest publications.

The series spans an exceptionally wide range of genres and subjects. Fiction writers explore crime, fantasy and contemporary life; poets share their collections and creative process; historians examine topics from the shipyard communities to suffragettes, colonialism to the Troubles; and memoirists reflect on personal journeys through care, conflict and cultural identity. Guests range from internationally acclaimed figures like Bernard MacLaverty and Paul Muldoon to debut authors publishing their first novels.

Notable conversations include Peggy Seeger reflecting on her musical and political heritage, Margaret Ward on republican women, Peggy Seeger’s childhood in music and politics, Marianne Elliott on housing estates, and numerous crime writers including Kelly Creighton, James Murphy and Sam Millar. The series also covers cultural history – flute bands, Belfast riots, the West Belfast Festival, and local landmarks like Balmoral Cemetery.

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Novel Ideas: Kate Ingram

Kady Campbell talks to writer Kate Ingram (Spillane), who talks about her novel ‘The Worry Stone’, published by Austin Macauley.
Show added:
17/09/2021

Novel Ideas: James Murphy

Writer James Murphy talks to Kady Campbell about trends in crime writing and why it is popular as well as his recent work and venturing into podcasting and the radio.
Show added:
09/09/2021

Novel Ideas: Bill Rolston: Ireland, Colonialism and the Unfinished Revolution

Bill Rolston on his new book, co-authored with Dr Robbie McVeigh, ‘Anois ar theacht an tSamhraidh: Ireland, Colonialism and the Unfinished Revolution’.
Show added:
16/05/2021

Novel Ideas: Dr David Hume MBE

Author & Broadcaster Liam Logan interviews Dr David Hume MBE about David’s new book ‘Tides of Time: A Coastal History of East Antrim’.
Show added:
09/01/2021

Novel Ideas: Kelly Creighton

Karen Mooney in conversation with Kelly Creighton, author of the DI Sloane series of crime fiction.
Show added:
21/12/2020

Novel Ideas: Dan Leith

Dan Leith talks about his latest book, The Stargazing Otter, an enchanting story of an otter who finds himself so caught up with the beauty and details of the world that he is left behind on the riverbank and must find the courage within himself to move on.
Show added:
10/12/2020

Novel Ideas: Karen Mooney, Byddi Lee & Gaynor Kane

Karen Mooney in conversation with Byddi Lee and Gaynor Kane about the effects of the pandemic on their writing and their lives.
Show added:
29/11/2020

Novel Ideas: John Gray on Mary Ann McCracken

Local historian John Gray talks about his pamphlet Mary Ann McCracken, 1770-1866: Feminist, Revolutionary and Reformer.
Show added:
18/11/2020

Novel Ideas: Angela Graham

Angela Graham in conversation about her book of compelling short stories, A City Burning, set in Wales, Northern Ireland and Italy and the moments children and adults face, in the flames of personal tragedy, moments of potential transformation.
Show added:
06/11/2020

Novel Ideas: Roy Greer

Roy Greer talks about his new book Con O’Neill: Last Gaelic Lord of Upper Clannaboy and how growing up and living in Castlereagh influenced his fascination with one of the great dynasties of late-medieval Ulster.
Show added:
06/11/2020

Novel Ideas: Paul Clements

Travel Writer Paul Clements talks about his book Shannon Country: A River Journey Through Time.
Show added:
20/10/2020

Novel Ideas: David O’Reilly

Broadcaster, DJ and Author David O’Reilly talks about his novel ‘Lottie The Raven’.
Show added:
13/10/2020
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